Monsanto Fined $600k By EPA For Uncontrolled Releases Of Toxic Chemicals

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Monsanto Fined $600k By EPA For Uncontrolled Releases Of Toxic Chemicals

Monsanto has agreed to pay the US government $600,000 for not reporting hundreds of uncontrolled toxic chemical releases from its Idaho phosphate plant. The releases in Soda Springs occurred between 2006 and 2009.

The plant emitted hydrogen cyanide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury into the atmosphere during that three-year span, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Justice Department said in a statement. Companies are required by law to report such releases immediately.

“Each of these chemicals are hazardous and can pose serious health risks to workers and the community if mishandled or released in an uncontrolled manner,” the federal statement said.

The Soda Springs facilities are operated by P4 Production LLC, a wholly owned Monsanto subsidiary. The company said it reconciled differences with the EPA, some as early as 2009, and received the EPA’s violation notice in May 2011.

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